76ers’ Dean Wade pinpoints Tyrese Maxey-James Harden similarities

Philadelphia 76ers forward Dean Wade is in unfamiliar territory as he is with a new team after spending his first seven years in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Wade slowly carved out a consistent role with the Cavaliers with his shooting, defense, and high IQ. He is expected to do the same with the 76ers, backing up LeBron James and Jaylen Brown.

While he is still adjusting in Philadelphia, he has already noticed the similarities between Tyrese Maxey and Cavaliers guard James Harden, which could give Wade a sense of familiarity on the 76ers. Maxey and Harden played together for two seasons, and the 29-year-old Wade believes they mirror each other’s unselfishness.

“Their styles are a little different, but James was so willing to get off the ball and make the right play every time last year. That was something I was like, ‘Man, that’s impressive.’ When you guard Tyrese, and when I had to guard him, we kind of trapped him off the ball screens. He had no problem getting off the ball and finding the right guy,” said Wade in an interview with Sixers Wire’s Ky Carlin.

“He made the right play every time, and then you get into his iso world—he’s so good. He’s so fast and quick. I think that he has that same mentality that James has.”

While the 36-year-old Harden has slowed down in recent years, the 25-year-old Maxey is on a steady ascent. But it is clear to Wade that their offensive prowess remains in the same class.

“They’re both unbelievably great at scoring in isolation, and so I think I don’t know if James taught him (Maxey) any of that iso stuff or if he just took the mentality that James had because when I guarded him a couple years ago, I was like, ‘Man, in open space, he’s so hard to stop. He’s so fast, quick,'” added Wade.

Last season, Wade averaged 5.8 points, 36.2% three-point shooting, and 4.2 rebounds in 22.3 minutes.

He signed a four-year, $39 million contract with the 76ers.